Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Operation Market Garden — On September 17, 1944, troops of the 82nd Airborne Division were tasked with securing several key bridges in the Operation Market Garden, including the vital road bridge at Nijmegen. Strong German resistance in and around the city prevented Allied forces from capturing the bridge during the initial assault.
To break the deadlock, a daring plan was launched on September 20, 1944, to cross the Waal River. Led by Julian Cook, the 3rd Battalion of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment undertook a hazardous daylight river crossing under heavy enemy fire. This dramatic assault was later portrayed in the movie A Bridge Too Far.
After approximately four hours of intense fighting, Allied troops secured the northern end of the bridge, enabling its capture intact and helping to advance the operation's objectives.
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